By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coach John Pelphrey said his team is tired, sore and in much need of some time off after playing nine games in 25 days.
So Pelphrey said the Razorbacks’ current nine-day break couldn’t have come at a better time.
“We’ve played so many games in a short period of time,” Pelphrey said after Arkansas’ win against Delaware State last Monday. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been a part of this or not. We’ve played a lot of games early. I don’t know how that happened, but it has.
“You’ve got very few days (in between games). It’s like you constantly had one day to get ready and had to come back and practice the next day after a game.”
The Razorbacks (4-5) are getting a much-needed chance to recuperate from the run this week.
Arkansas is still practicing in between final exams, but Pelphrey is hoping banged-up players like forward Michael Sanchez (feet) and center Michael Washington (back) can heal during the stretch. In addition, he’s hoping players who have logged heavy minutes because of injuries and suspensions can rest their weary legs and prepare for the next stretch of games.
Arkansas returns to the court against Alabama State next Wednesday. The Razorbacks will play Stephen F. Austin on Dec. 19 and Missouri State on Dec. 22 before getting another eight-day break for Christmas.
“We don’t like not playing,” Arkansas guard Rotnei Clarke said. “But it’s going to be good for us going into finals, getting our rest, maybe getting our legs under us a little bit, rehabbing and getting ready to get focused for this next game we’ve got coming up.”
Clarke is another player who Pelphrey said could use the time off. The guard is averaging a team-high 36.2 minutes a game. Freshmen Julysses Nobles and forward Marshawn Powell are logging heavy minutes, too, averaging 30.3 and 29.8 minutes, respectively.
The good news is that the Razorbacks did carry some momentum into the break after a disastrous start. The Hogs beat Mississippi Valley State and Delaware State, grabbing its first back-to-back wins since January.
So Pelphrey is hoping Arkansas will build on the two-game win streak when it returns to the court Wednesday.
“I think it’s a good time for us to have a little bit of a break and try to get charged back up and take care of some bumps and bruises,” Pelphrey said. “Take care of some academics, and try to get better as a team.”
Attendance Remains Low
The announced crowd of 6,628 at the Delaware State was the second-smallest in Bud Walton Arena this year. The loss to South Alabama drew a season-low 5,187.
Attracting fans has been a season-long struggle for the Hogs, who are averaging 6,825 in seven home games.
“We’d like to see more fans in the stands,” Clarke said. “Maybe that’s our job to get them in here. Maybe give them something a little bit to get excited about.
“With everything that’s gone on, it’s been tough, but we’re trying to get back on the right page and get some people in here and maybe get the state going a little bit and get excited and get the crowd attendance up.”
Pelphrey was asked about the attendance after Monday’s game, too, but had a different response: “All I can tell you is how incredible the people of the state are and the way they support this program.”
Fortson Talk
Arkansas’ Courtney Fortson missed his ninth game because of an indefinite suspension, but there has been speculation indicating the point guard could be eligible to return once the fall semester ended.
Pelphrey was asked after the Delaware State game if his roster would be back intact on Dec. 16.
“I don’t think so,” Pelphrey said. “We’re certainly hopeful at some point. It’s still up in the air.”
Pelphrey then was asked specifically if it meant Fortson wouldn’t play against Alabama State.
“I’m saying that that date has not been set,” Pelphrey said of Fortson’s return. “And that there’s a lot of stuff still up in the air. There’s a plan in place and we’re trying to implement the plan.”
Fortson is the only scholarship player who hasn’t suited up for the Razorbacks this season.
Free Throw Woes
Defense and rebounding have been Arkansas’ biggest problems early this season, but one other area of concern has cropped up: Free-throw shooting.
The Razorbacks have made 171 of 260 attempts (65.8 percent), which ranks near the bottom of the Southeastern Conference. Arkansas was 9 of 20 (45 percent) from the line in its against Delaware State.
Powell had the biggest problems, going 4 for 10 in the win. But Clarke said everyone can get better.
“We definitely got to improve it,” said Clarke, who is shooting 81.6 percent after knocking down 93.5 percent last season. “That’s something we’re going to have to have down the stretch if we want to win some close games. That’s going to be a big outcome of the games so we’re definitely going to have to improve that.”
